The council will support communities to run a further 16 small libraries with one member of paid staff on hand to advise volunteers.

But the axe has come down on two libraries – Thornhill Lees and Lepton – which will close in April 2016.

The six-vehicle strong mobile library service will also go as it is not used by many and deemed poor value for money.

The decision is the culmination of four years of threats to libraries as the council aimed to cut £1.8m from its £5.7m library service.

Plans for libraries to be run by volunteers alone with no council backup have been officially shelved, meaning any of the 16 that cannot achieve adequate levels of community back up would be at threat of closure.

Clr Graham Turner, cabinet member for resources, told the meeting: “It’s clear what we’re proposing will impact the residents of Kirklees. But I believe it will impact them as little as possible.

Clr Graham Turner

“The reality is while we have a government that does not believe in public services we will have to make very difficult decisions.

“I have to be the bad guy, but it’s worth saying again, I believe in public services.”

Council leader, Clr David Sheard, said 478 libraries had already closed across the country, not one of which was in Kirklees.

“We are trying to keep as many open as possible,” he said.

Deputy leader of the Conservative group, Clr David Hall, said: “Yet again, those communities outside of the town centres are having their services slashed.

“The mobile library service is so valuable to many people, particularly the elderly, who otherwise cannot gain access to a library.

“Labour’s cuts are all about choices: they have chosen to inflict this unnecessary service reduction instead of identifying savings elsewhere.”

Libraries set to be fully staffed by professional librarians, dubbed Town Libraries, are: Huddersfield, Dewsbury, Batley, Cleckheaton, Mirfield, Birstall, Heckmondwike and Holmfirth.

It is hoped that the remaining 16 libraries, largely in small villages or suburbs of Huddersfield, will be run by one council employee backed by community volunteers. Some may have their premises transferred to community ownership.